The Italian Education

System

Maria Antonietta Salvucci - MIUR

First cycle of education

The first cycle of education is compulsory and is made up of primary andlower secondary education.• Primary education (scuola primaria) starts at 6 years of age and lasts 5

years• Lower secondary education (scuola secondaria di I grado) starts at 11

years of age and lasts 3 years

The aim of this level in the education system is to provide pupils with basiclearning and the basic tools of active citizenship. It helps pupils to understandthe meaning of their own experiences.

Second cycle

The second cycle of education, starting from 14 years, is made up of generaland vocational upper secondary schools:• General upper secondary schools, (5 years), with 6 types of Liceo (with a

specialisation in Arts, Classical studies, Sciences, Languages, Dancing,Music, Humanities);

• Vocational education and training schools, (5 years), made up of Technical(Economy/Technology) and Professional Institutions (Services/Crafts andIndustry)

• At the end of this cycle, students should pass an Upper SecondaryEducation Leaving Examination (State Examination) and according to theirpathways they receive a Diploma liceale, a Diploma di istruzione tecnicaor a Diploma di istruzione professionale. These qualifications will givethem access to higher education in Universities or higher vocationalInstitutions.

Second cycle

• At the end of the first cycle, students can also start a vocational trainingpathway (3-4 years) run by vocational training Agencies accredited by theRegions.

• Three-year vocational training courses lead to the qualification of ‘workerin +’, while four-year courses lead to the qualification ‘technician in +’.

• There is also a pathway which alternates between work experience andthe classroom (apprenticeship) starting from 15 years which allows youngpeople to acquire basic knowledge plus skills they will be able to put intopractice on the job market.

Higher Education

• General Education:UniversitiesPolytechnicsArts and Music High Education

• Vocational Education:Higher Technical Institutes ITS